HEALTH bosses have launched a pilot project in Mid Cheshire to try to stem the rising tide of obesity and diabetes.

The Central Cheshire Weight Management Group aims to offer people help and advice on losing weight to avoid potential health risks, including diabetes.

The group brings together a range of health and social care professionals, including Jacqui Stocker, the diabetes specialist dietitian at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, who ran the pilot programme.

Jane Branson, of Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust, said: 'Weight management is a serious problem and this pilot is about trying to help local people to help themselves.'

Mrs Stocker said: 'Everyone who attended has lost weight and made lifestyle and diet changes which they can maintain and that is tremendous.

'There is no doubt that prevention is better than cure for health conditions which can develop as a result of being overweight or obese, such as diabetes,' she said.

'Evidence shows that the majority of people who develop Type Two diabetes tend to be overweight and do not take regular exercise. While eating well and taking some exercise does not give immunity from diabetes, it definitely helps to guard against it.

'Just making small changes like eating more fruit and vegetables or cutting down on alcohol can have a big impact in terms of protecting your health.'

The group's programme is also being delivered via Castle Surgery in Northwich and Oaklands Surgery, Middlewich.

Patients registered at either with a BMI (find yours under 'weight' at www.bbc.co.uk/health) of 26-30, will be given a voucher and referred to their local Boots, which will give those taking part an information pack containing a pedo-meter, guidance on healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle as well as a voucher for local leisure activities.